The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1887-01-01

The business and news pressure upon
our columns is such this week as to
deprive US of the space usually devoted
to editorial comment. We are not sure
that this is always the best use to which
it can be devoted, as editorial matter
is but the expression of individual opin-
ion, and subject to acceptance or re-
lection, as the ideas of its readers may
or may not endorse it. We have room,
however to wish our patrons, and the
rest of mankind, prosperous year IN
their domestic and business concerns,
and to say just word in behalf of the
New Prohibitory Law which goes into
effect today in Cecil county.
Sustain it, good reader, in your COM
munity by your influence and personal
example. Cultivate within the circle
of your personal acquaintance respect
for law and its authorized agencies.
We know no tendency more disturbing
to the peace of society, none more
dangerous to the security of property,
than an habitual and defiant disregard
of law and It's constituted authorities.
In every community the irresponsible
classes are the dangerous ones. The
possession of property always exerts
restraining influence over its owners.
Men who otherwise would be danger
Gus members of society, inspired by
the common law OF self-preservation
even though it be wholly selfish in its
exhibitions, become even tolerable citi-
zens under this influence of ownership.
Although radically disposed, they be-
come more careful and conservative
when material interests are involved.
We are glad to believe that We have in
Cecil county no very considerable num-
Der of residents who can be truthfully
designated as belonging to the ahso-
lutely irresponsible class. The few
lawlessly disposed men in any commu-
nifty in Cecil county, can be success
fully restrained from mischief by very
limited exercise of legal authority, and
we believe that the success or failure
of the new law will depend altogether
upon the course pursued by the infl-
entail classes OF our different commu-
mites. If they exert their influence in
its behalf, and shw reasonable desire
to see it enforced, it will be a success.
If they do not, we shall see 1t failure,
and have in few fleeing months free
whiskey again upon US
Now when we say inhuential classes
we do not mean those merely who adj
vocated and voted for this law. There
were very many men who sincerely de-
sire to see the liquor traffic at least re-
strained if not absolutely destroyed in
the county, who did not vote for it.
This question of enforcement was their
trouble. Their stumbling block was
the method by which to accomplish a
desirable result. They listened to all
the objections which the opponents of
the law SO insidiuously urged against it,
and did not give equal consideration to
its favorable features, its penalties, and
It's more stringent provisions.
Now we claim, since the law has be- |
come operative in the county by a
legally expressed majority of its quail
fed voters, that the moral obligation to
give it a cordial support, is just as
binding upon all good citizens who pre-
fered some other method of dealing |
with the traffic, as upon those who did |
advocate and support this particular
law 1t is an aged axiom that the
surest way to secure the repeal of an
obnoxious law is to enforce it rigidly. |
The axium will not apply in this case.
But we urge that the object Of the new
law being to benefit so >iety, that no
man who intelligenty appreciates the
duties and obligations of citizenship
should indirectly aid in breaking down
any law, which majority of his fellow
citizens have approved, simply because
he differs with that majority as to the
best means to promote the objects
which that law is intended to promote.
That some men will violate it for the
sake of money making is to be ex-
pected. Men sell their souls every
where for lucre, and care nothing for
the souls or bodies of others SO they
clutch safely the coveted gold. But
while the use of Rum as beverage is